Metallic seal.



Patented Sept. I7, l90l. J. MURDOCK, In.

METALLIC SEAL.

(Application filed Aug. 20, 1 900.)

(No Model.)

n VI A w u I n I 31412014 for m: Nonms vzrzns co Pnurmuma. WASHINGTON. o. c.

UNITED STATES JAMES MURDOCK, JR,

PATENT OFFICE.

OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

M ETALLIC SEAL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 682,857, dated. September 17, 1901.

Application filed August 20, 1900. Serial No. 27,409. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Beit known that 1, JAMES MURDOCK, J11, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Metallic Seals, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in lead or metallic seals.

The objects of my invention are to produce a sealing-cord composed of a fibrous combustible strand and a substantially flat metallic strand which can be bent into a very compact spiral around the combustible strand without injury to the latter and so that the greater portion of the combustible strand will be covered and protected by the metallic strand and also to provide a cord which will have its strands interlocked and not fray out at the ends, all as specially pointed out in the claims.

My invention consists in the novel features of the several parts and in the construction, combination, and arrangement of the same, whereby important advantages are secured and the seal is rendered simple, effective, and cheap and otherwise better adapted and more convenient for use, all as will be hereinafter fully set forth.

In the accompanying drawin gs, which serve to illustrate my invention, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved cord and seal. Fig. 2 is a plan View showing the reverse side of the seal. Fig. 3 is a section through the same on line 2 a, Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is an enlarged side elevation of a section of the sealing-cord. Fig. 5 is a cross-section through the same on line 1; '0. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the seal-blank.

With the seals heretofore in use it was a comparatively easy thing to heat the wire near the seal so as to loosen the wire and withdraw the same without damaging the face of the seal and to again insert the wires in such a manner as not to indicate that the seal had been tampered with. This I avoid and provide a seal which cannot be tampered with in this way without detection in the following manner: A represents the seal, composed of lead or other soft metal, which is originally cast or formed into the blank or disk, Fig. 6, having the two perforations B to receive the respective ends of the sealing-cord O. This cord has heretofore consisted of a plain wire, a kinked or barbed wire, or two or more strands of wire twisted together and which were capable of being heated without injury thereto or any indication thereof. Myimproved cord consists of a metallic strand E, preferably of soft steel, and a strand of some combustible material, preferably a fibrous strand F, such as silk or cotton string, which may be combined together in any approved manner to form the sealing-cord. 1 preferably twist the metallic strand around the fibrous strand in the form of an open spiral, as shown in Fig. 4, the fibrous strand resting in the central opening of the metallic strand and being exposed to the elements and to view through the open metallic spiral, and at the ends of the cord I prefer to twist the spiral close, so as to effectually bind the end of the fibrous strand in the spiral, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, to permit of easy insertion of the. ends through the sealing-leads and prevent the fibrous strand from becoming loose or fraying out when used. The strength of the metal strand employed in making the cord may differ according to the purpose which the same is intended to serveas, for instance, when sealing valves open which are required to be closed in an emergencyl preferably use a cord composed of lead or other soft-metal strands and fibrous strands which have strength enough to hold together, but are easily broken, so that the only thing necessary is to turn the val ve-wheel, which will instantly sever the sealing-cord and not interfere with the closing of the valve in the least. By making each sealing-cord of a metallic strand and a fibrous strand I am enabled to indicate the place or division of the road or the time of day or night in which the seal is attached or to indicate such other purpose as may be desired by lacquering, enameling, or staining the cord in color or preferably by simply using a fibrous strand of a particular color to indicate the specified purpose.

After looping the cord through the object to be sealed and inserting the ends of the cord through the perforations 1B the seal is compressed between dies of the proper form to bend and shape the seal to the form shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, at the same time forming the lettering upon the faces of the seal and bending the cord to the zigzag outline of the seal. The structure of the cord is such that it will be crushed and embedded in the metal of the sealin such a manner that it is impossible to remove it Without destroying the seal. The bend in the cord and seal prevents the withdrawal of the cord endwise, and the combustible material of the cord prevents the heating or cutting of the seal or cord Without detection. The fibrous strand also if strained or roughly handled will become frayed and the metal strand will become twisted and lose its symmetry, clearly indicating that the seal has been tampered with. The more important portion of the lettering is located in the groove in the seal, Where it protected against defaceinent.

Having described my invention, what I claim is 1. In a metallic seal provided with a sealing-cord composed of a fibrous combustible strand and metallicstrand,the metallic strand made substantially fiat and twined about the fibrous strand in spiral form, substantially as set forth.

2. In a metallic seal provided with a sealing-cord composed of a fibrous combustible strand and a metallic strand, the metallic strand made substantially flat and twined about the combustible strand in open spiral form, substantially as set forth.

3. In a metallic seal provided with a sealing-cord composed of a fibrous combustible strand and a metallic strand, the metal strand made substantially fiat and twined about the combustible strand in open spiral form with the spirals closely twined at the ends to hold the strands together, substan tially as an for the purposes set forth.

JAMES MURDOOK, JR:

Witnesses:

LUKE S. MURDooK, JAMES N. RAMSEY. 

